Small Footprints is asking us to educate ourselves on protecting the oceans and boy have I learned a lot!

According to my research, when we clean the house with conventional cleaning products, nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia can end up rinsed down the drains.

These are not removed by water treatment processes and instead enter the waterways where they build up. This build up then ‘feeds’ some types of plants which disrupts the delicate balance of animals and other marine plants; literally crowding out the habitat.

At the end of their life, these chemically-accelerated plants decay which depletes the oxygen in the water.

Algae then grows in this oxygen-depleted environment which kills fish and shellfish.

These fish and shellfish then die off; causing even more decay until eventually the water no longer sustains the proper balance of life.

Who knew the precarious balance of life could be affected by something as simple as the cleaning products you choose!?

As you know, I love to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, so here is my recipe:

Mrs Green’s ‘a pleasure to use’ non-toxic multi purpose spray:

Take one empty, unused plant mister
Fill half way with water
In a small bowl or jar mix the vodka and essential oils together (the vodka is used in this recipe purely to disperse the oils – oil and water don’t mix if you remember your science lessons at school!)
Add the vodka / essential oils mix into the plant mister
Top up with more water
Put on the top, give it a shake then label your bottle

You’re done! This mixture will smell heavenly when it’s settled down in about a week’s time, although you can use it straight away.

We use this to wipe down kitchen work surfaces, clean the hob, wipe over the table and clean the floor.

AND it’s naturally antibacterial but safe enough to spray on your kids hands and into the environment – what’s not to love!